This tutorial will show you how to change the current product key number to a different key to be used to activate your Windows 8 and 8.1 with instead.

How to Change the Product Key Number in Windows 8 and 8.1​

Information

This tutorial will show you how to change the current product key number to a different key to be used to activate your Windows 8 and 8.1 with instead.

For example, to use to activate "Windows 8 Enterprise" or "Windows 8.1 Enterprise".

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

Note

You can only use a product key number for the same Windows 8 edition that you currently have installed. For example, you cannot enter or change the product key number in Windows 8 with a Windows 8 Pro product key number, or vice versa.

Once Media Center is installed (whether turned on or off in Windows Features), only product key numbers for "Windows 8 Pro with Media Center" will work to activate Windows. Microsoft regards this as a different version of the OS to all intents and purposes. In other words only keys obtained for Windows 8 Media Center will work from then on should you wish to change the key.

EXAMPLE: Windows 8 Activated

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OPTION ONE

To Change Windows 8 and 8.1 Product Key Number using GUI

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1. Do step 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 below for what you would like to do or have available.​

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2. Press the :winkey: +R keys to open the Run dialog, type slui.exe 3, click/tap OK, and go to step 7 below.​

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3. Open PC settings, and click/tap on Activate Windows on the left side. (see screenshot below)​

NOTE:You will only have the Activate Windows option available if your Windows is not currently activated with a product key. For example, after installing Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise.​

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A) Click/tap on the Enter key button on the right side of "Activate Windows", and go to step 9 below. (see screenshot below)​

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4. In Windows 8.1, open PC settings, and click/tap on PC & devices on the left side. (see screenshot below)​

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A) Click/tap on PC info on the left side of "PC & devices", click/tap on Change product key under Windows on the right side, and go to step 9 below. (see screenshot below)​

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5. Open the Control Panel (icons view), click/tap on the System icon, click/tap on the Change product key link at the bottom right corner, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)​

NOTE:You will only have this option if Windows 8 or 8.1 has already been previously activated.​

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6. Open the Control Panel (icons view), click/tap on the System icon, and click/tap on the View details in Windows Activation link at the bottom. (see screenshot below)​

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A) If available, click/tap on Activate with a new key, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)​

NOTE:If not available, then use step 2 above instead.​

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7. If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes, and do step 8 or 9 below for what Windows 8 you have.​

Older - But No Wiser

In addition to the note at the top of this page: It should also be noted here that once Media Center is installed (whether turned on or off in Windows Features), only keys for "Windows 8 Pro with Media Center" will work. Microsoft regard this as a different version of the OS to all intents and purposes. In other words only keys obtained for Windows 8 Media Center will work from then on should you wish to change the key.

New Member

In addition to the note at the top of this page: It should also be noted here that once Media Center is installed (whether turned on or off in Windows Features), only keys for "Windows 8 Pro with Media Center" will work. Microsoft regard this as a different version of the OS to all intents and purposes. In other words only keys obtained for Windows 8 Media Center will work from then on should you wish to change the key.

Cisco

Brink, I've seen this a lot about changing the product key. I am confused. Why would you want to change the product key? If you change it from the one that you got with the program . Its the wrong one and won't activate. Will it?:huh: